Tattoo artist Jamie Epsy talks about the impact of her work doing tattoos of nipples and areolas for those who have had their breasts reconstructed at Lovely Monkey Tattoo in Whitmore Lake Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018.(Photo: Gillis Benedict/Livingston Daily)

"Your boobs are a huge part of your life, personally and aesthetically," said Zapletny, a 54-year old Brighton Township resident. "After a mastectomy and surgery, you get that done, and you're tired of it and sick of getting poked and prodded ... then getting out of the shower and looking in the mirror isn't quite right, because you don't feel 100% like yourself."

Zapletny waited more than two years after her left breast was removed and reconstructed. A plastic surgeon reduced the size of her right one so her breasts would match better.

"It made a difference with my self-body image and relationship with my husband who was always telling me I was beautiful and that he felt sorry for that one (breast) because it didn't have anything," Zapletny said.

Epsy, a 41-year old Brighton native who lives in Whitmore Lake, specializes in tattooing nipples and areolas. She also tattoos artwork to cover breast scars and the chests of women who've had mastectomies and opted not to have their breasts reconstructed.

She has tattooed both female and male breast cancer survivors, individuals who have had other breast surgeries and people transitioning gender.

Samples of nipple and areola tattoos are on display at Jamie Epsy's studio at Lovely Monkey Tattoo, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, as ideas for her clients who have had breast reconstructions.(Photo: Gillis Benedict/Livingston Daily)

"You're giving back more than an areola," Epsy said. "You're giving identity back, sexuality back, and it helps with self-image and relationships."

It takes Espy two or three tattooing sessions to complete nipple and areola tattoos to her artistic standards.

"The first session gives them a little over their scar, and the second session we can change it, make it bigger or darker, or add elements that allow them to feel they have a say in what their body looks like," she said. She "layers to create the 3-D effect ... which makes them more natural."

"I've covered the whole chest plate with imagery" for people who have had mastectomies and opted to "go flat," she said.

Her studio is covered in examples of her regular tattoo artworks and sketches. She loves tattooing flowers, birds and other imagery.

Client Sue Smith-Edoff said she had nine breast surgeries and months of healing before she hired Epsy to tattoo nipples and areolas on her two reconstructed breasts.

"I said, 'I can't wait to have nipples' after my doctor said I was healed," Smith-Edoff, a 53-year old Brighton resident said. "Jamie said it was too early, and she said, 'Your breasts aren't ready.'"

Espy said it is difficult to tattoo over scars and damaged skin tissue. She often tells clients they will have to wait a while longer.

"Jamie turned out to be a great resource. In the meantime, I ordered fake nipple temporary tattoos for on the days when I was having a hot date with my husband ... and I also took vitamins and did things for my skin to improve it because I really wanted the tattoos to work out," Smith-Edoff said.

She had her third and final tattoo session with Espy in September.

"I feel more like my own self," she said.

Opting for an artist

"The thing that makes me a little sad is insurances don't cover it," Smith-Edoff said. "My doctor's office had someone who can tattoo them, and, if I had gone to that one, my insurance would have paid."

While some nurse practitioners are trained to apply nipple and areola tattoos, Epsy says hers are more realistic looking. She showed pictures of tattoos applied to one of her clients by a nurse practitioner, which were far less detailed and did not look natural.

"The nurse practitioners are really trying to help and give the women pigmentation, but I really feel you need an artist," Epsy said.

She has received training from Areola Restorative Tattoo, a group that specializes in educating tattoo artists in the art of post-mastectomy tattooing. She knows of a few tattoo artists in the state who do the tattoos but said she is the only one she knows of in the area who specializes in them.

Epsy's tattoos can cost around $600.

Around Christmas time, people can apply to get free "win a pair" tattoos from Epsy. Non-profit Art for Scars also has a program that helps cancer survivors cover the cost of restorative tattoos.

"You should be able to make choices about who you want to see not based on who your health insurance says you should see," Smith-Edoff said. "I hope insurance companies step up and pay for real artists who are doing good work like her."

She was inspired to start specializing in realistic nipple and areola tattoos by a breast cancer survivor at a 2016 Relay for Life event in Canton. She lead a fundraising team in support of her children's grandmother, a survivor.

"That's when I was inspired that there is a need," she said.

Contact Livingston Daily reporter Jennifer Timar at 517-548-7148 or at jtimar@livingstondaily.com. Follow her on Facebook @Jennifer.Timar99 and Twitter @JenTimar99.